Chiller SME at Applied Digital Corporation – Ellendale, North Dakota

At Applied Digital, we are the epicenter of AI innovation, crafting cutting-edge data center solutions tailored for the demands of high-performance computing. Designed from the ground up to support AI and machine learning workloads, our infrastructure is the backbone of tomorrow’s technological advancements, including AI-driven video and generative platforms.

We are:

• Forward-Thinkers: With a keen eye on current market trends and future innovations, we adapt swiftly and lead technological evolution.
• Resilient: We navigate complex challenges and emerge stronger, delivering robust and reliable solutions for industry pioneers.
• Innovative Designers: Leveraging the latest technologies, we create visionary solutions that redefine industry standards.

We remain committed and steadfast in solving intricate problems, advancing business initiatives, maximizing operational efficiency, and reducing our carbon footprint. We are a team of resilient, forward-thinking innovators driving the AI revolution.

Position Summary

The Chiller Subject Matter Expert (SME) is a senior technical authority responsible for the operational reliability, performance optimization, and lifecycle management of chiller plants supporting Applied Digital’s hyperscale Data Center portfolio. This role serves as the primary escalation point for complex chiller and cooling plant issues and provides expert guidance to Operations, Engineering, Construction, and Commissioning teams.

The Chiller SME focuses heavily on post-commissioning operations, long-term reliability, plant optimization, and continuous improvement of mission-critical cooling infrastructure supporting high-density compute and AI workloads.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & SME Responsibilities

• Act as the primary technical authority for chiller plants across Applied Digital Data Centers.
• Serve as the highest-level escalation point for complex chiller system faults, alarms, capacity constraints, and efficiency issues.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for chiller, pump, and cooling plant incidents, developing corrective and preventive actions.
• Analyze plant performance data, trends, and control sequences to improve reliability and efficiency.

Operations & Reliability

• Develop, review, and continuously improve chiller plant operating procedures, maintenance strategies, and emergency response playbooks.
• Evaluate plant redundancy, available cooling capacity, and operational margins in live Data Center environments.
• Partner with site operations teams to reduce unplanned downtime, optimize availability, and improve system resiliency.
• Support load increases, seasonal transitions, and high-density cooling demands.

Engineering, Construction & Commissioning Support

• Provide operational input during design reviews, equipment selections, and plant architecture decisions.
• Support commissioning and integrated systems testing (IST), with emphasis on real-world operational readiness.
• Identify design, installation, or controls deficiencies that could impact long-term chiller plant reliability.
• Collaborate with mechanical and controls engineering teams to ensure plant designs align with operational best practices.

Controls, Optimization & Energy Performance

• Review and validate chiller plant control sequences and operating modes.
• Support optimization initiatives focused on plant efficiency, part-load performance, and energy consumption.
• Analyze chiller staging, pumping strategies, condenser water performance, and heat rejection effectiveness.
• Partner with controls teams to improve fault detection, alarming, and automation strategies.

Vendor & Lifecycle Management

• Act as the technical interface with chiller OEMs, service providers, water treatment vendors, and testing firms.
• Evaluate vendor service performance, maintenance practices, and contract effectiveness.
• Support lifecycle planning including major overhauls, refrigerant transitions, and end-of-life replacement strategies.
• Stay current on chiller technologies, refrigerants, and regulatory requirements relevant to Data Center operations.

Documentation, Standards & Training

• Develop and maintain chiller plant standards, technical guidelines, and best practices across the Data Center fleet.
• Review and approve chiller-related MOPs, SOPs, and EOPs.
• Provide technical training, mentorship, and guidance to Data Center Operations, Engineering, and field teams.
• Contribute to corporate reliability, sustainability, and energy efficiency initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience working with large-scale chiller plants in mission-critical environments (Data Centers, healthcare, industrial, or similar).
• Deep hands-on knowledge of air-cooled and water-cooled chiller systems, pumping systems, and heat rejection equipment.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and plant-level control strategies.
• Proven experience leading RCAs for chiller plant and cooling infrastructure failures.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, sequences of operation, and control logic.
• Experience supporting live, production Data Center environments with zero tolerance for downtime.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting hyperscale or high-density AI/HPC Data Centers.
• Experience with advanced cooling strategies (e.g., high-efficiency plants, economization, or hybrid cooling).
• Familiarity with modern refrigerants and regulatory compliance considerations.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or relevant industry certifications (nice to have, not required).
• Experience standardizing mechanical infrastructure across multi-site portfolios.

Essential Skills

• Expert-level troubleshooting and system-level thinking
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
• Clear and concise technical communication
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Calm and effective leadership during high-severity incidents

Please note that Applied Digital is currently unable to sponsor new applicants for employment authorization or provide immigration-related support for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, visa categories such as H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1, O-1, and any Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) or other work authorizations that require employer sponsorship.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents acknowledge that they possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.